Federal Criminal Law Firearms EPO #2

EPO #2: Identify procedures to initiate a firearms trace through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco, & Firearms. (LGD Handbook pp. 164-165)

Main reason for tracing firearms is to link criminally used weapons to a specific person 

Main reason for tracing a firearm?

1. Stolen property

2. Associates of suspects 

3. Source and suppliers of firearms for criminal suspect 

4. Finally helping firearms helps to prove the connection (“necus”) between the firearms and interstate commerce

The trace may assist in identifying 

1. Make (manufacture) 

2. Model 

3. Serial number 

4. Caliber/Gauge 

^^Provide the following info to ATF National Tracing Center

Information Required to Trace a Firearm 

• The manufacturer

• The exporter/importer if foreign-made

• The wholesale distributor 

• The retail gun dealer 

• The first lawful retail purchaser from the dealer

Tracing Weapon should reveal:

WILL Not reveal transfers of weapons between private individuals 

What will not reveal when tracing a weapon?